Thula Thula
with Joan Ranquet
September 6th – 14th, 2025
Calling all travel and animal lovers! Join Animal Communicator Joan Ranquet and get wordless in South Africa. Experience for yourself what it’s like to feel the world through the senses of elephants, rhinos, and the wild creatures of Thula Thula, the oldest private wildlife reserve in KwaZulu-Natal province.
Thula Thula means peace and tranquility in isiZulu and boasts a unique diversity of landscapes, from riverine bush, savanna and forest. It is an 11,000 acre Wildlife Sanctuary dedicated to the conservation, protection and survival of endangered species. Situated in Zululand, only 2 hours from Durban, and one hour from Richards Bay. Elephants, rhino, buffalo, hippo, hyena, leopard and so much more are common on the reserve, along with over 350 bird species!
Why Travel with Me?
There is a magic that happens on my trips. Our daily meditations lead to a deeper connection with the natural world and a sense of quiet that magnetizes the most magical moments. While nature is wild and unpredictable we can almost guarantee you the kind of sightings and interactions with wildlife that will leave you wondering, did that just happen??
Our trips are an unusual blend. Think mystical meets naturalist meets playful adventure!
You’ll learn a lot about the natural world of each place we explore, with the opportunity for you to go from traveler to steward as you create your own relationship with the land, the people and the animals.
Plus, I’ll give you tips, tricks and tools post trip for you to take the magic home and become an ally, advocate and reporter for the places you’ve been, sharing experiences, stories, pictures and love to your wider community! All while having fun. And laughing. A lot. There may even be curse words!!
I’ve spearheaded 16 trips to swim with wild dolphins and facilitated wildlife excursions to South Africa (3 trips), Namibia, Botswana, Kenya (2 trips) and Borneo, focusing on endangered species. I have shared my expertise all over the U.S., speaking on animal communication, human/animal relationships, energy healing, and wildlife.
Why These Elephants?
If you’ve ever read Anthony Lawrence’s book, The Elephant Whisperer, you’ll remember the rogue herd of elephants that were to be culled that ended up at his preserve that he dreamt of having. You’ll also remember that these particular elephants were terrified and caused trouble in the community.
Years later, Lawrence Anthony has since passed, and his elephants as well as the staff remain loyal to his dream. His widow, Francoise Malby-Anthony has written several wonderful books including Elephant in My Kitchen and The Elephants of Thula Thula.
But even if you haven’t already fallen in love with this herd of elephants through these wonderful books, you will be smitten on the first game drive when you meet this iconic herd. The elephants here are known and loved throughout the world. And they know it. And they are not afraid to show their love back.
They come closer than any “wild” elephants I’ve ever met, and I’ve met a few. You will love them like I do.
This trip includes daily game drives with the naturalists on staff who know the animals on the reserve incredibly well. There are several drives for animal communication and a few drives with a Gestalt experience
The beauty of having such a close herd and naturalists who know them so well is all information will be confirmed by the guides, and this will improve confidence for the animal communication readings and observations in the gestalt sessions. This is a super special part of this trip!
Sign up by January 1st, 2025 & receive $500 off!
Full cost per person sharing: $6,682 or $7,667
See accommodation options and Early Bird pricing below.
A 50% deposit will be required to secure your reservation. Balance will be due by July 1st, 2025.
About Joan
Animal communicator, TEDx speaker, Findhorn Press, Hay House, and Sounds True author, educator, and animal guardian Joan Ranquet leads an inspired life. It’s no surprise MSN deemed her as one of the “Top 25 People Who Do What They Love.”
Joan has connected with animals professionally for over thirty years, and she’s connected with them personally for as long as she can remember. Her calling has led her to work with hundreds of thousands of animal guardians, animal trainers, barn managers, veterinarians, sanctuaries, wildlife, rehab and therapeutic riding centers — teaching animal communication and energy healing through workshops, wildlife retreats, and private sessions.
Deemed “Celebrity Animal Communicator” in an AMC Channel documentary, Joan has been featured in dozens of media outlets including The Hollywood Reporter, “Pet Nation” on Dateline NBC, Today on NBC, Good Morning America on ABC, Animal Planet, the National Enquirer, and the Los Angeles Times.
In 2008, Joan founded CWALU (Communication With All Life University), a certification program for animal communication, energy healing and nature and wildlife that is taught online and in person.
She is the author of Emotional Freedom Technique for Animals and Their Humans: Creating a Harmonious Relationship through Tapping (Findhorn Press, 2023), Energy Healing for Animals: A Hands-On Guide for Enhancing the Health, Longevity, and Happiness of Your Pets (Sounds True, 2015) and Communication with All Life: Revelations of an Animal Communicator (Hay House, 2007). Joan contributed to The Dharma of Dogs: Our Best Friends as Spiritual Teachers (Sounds True, 2017) and The Karma of Cats: Spiritual Wisdom from our Feline Friends (Sounds True, 2019).
Joan’s TEDx Talk, “Joan Ranquet, The Rainbow Bridge, Animals in Transition has received over 423,000 views.
Joan’s hands-on animal communication and energy healing process troubleshoots behavioral and medical issues, stimulates healing (in conjunction with conventional treatment), and deepens her clients’ abilities to care for and understand their animals. She believes the capacity to attune to animals and work with them energetically is not a gift for the select few, but an innate ability we can all access with guidance. Thus, she teaches down-to-earth skills that enable her students to communicate consistently and confidently with animals.
Joan has spearheaded trips to swim with wild dolphins (16 trips). She has also facilitated wildlife excursions to South Africa (3 trips), Namibia, Botswana, Kenya (2 trips) and Borneo, focused on endangered species. A highlight for Joan was teaching animal communication in Beijing, China in 2018. In addition to foreign trips, Joan has shared her expertise all over the U.S., speaking on animal communication, human/animal relationships, energy healing, and wildlife
Today, Joan lives on her ranchette in the gorgeous hills of southern California with her devoted animal family: three horses, three dogs, and three cats. She donates her time to animal rescue missions, sanctuaries and therapeutic riding centers, and is an avid fundraiser for organizations focused on rescue, recovering, and rehabilitation of compromised animals and endangered species.
Joan has served as Star-Lioness – an advisory/sounding board for the Global White Lion Protection Trust – and on the Spiritual Council for The Gentle Barn. Joan is the co-founder of Jill and Joan Healing, a company providing acupressure classes for animals and hemp-based pet products with holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jill Todd.
What IS Included
- Two game drives daily with a naturalist and Joan Ranquet
- Animal communication sessions with Joan Ranquet and Thula Thula staff
- Two nature drive experiences and two group Gestalt sessions with Lorrin Maughan
- All transfers from and to airport, as well as transport and excursion costs
- Accommodation in a luxury tent at the 4-star Thula Thula Luxury Tented Camp and Safari Lodge
- All meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as packed picnics during excursions
- Teas, coffees, and bottled water in tents
- A 4-course dinner at the Elephant Safari Lodge
- Champagne picnic lunch (weather permitting)
- St. Lucia boat cruise and tour to see hippos and crocodiles and superb birdlife; visit the Indian ocean beach
- Opportunity to visit a local Zulu village and meet the Sangoma (a traditional Zulu Diviner) (subject to availability)
- Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park tour for a chance to see the big 5 in Africa’s oldest nature reserve
- $1,000 donation to support Thula Thula’s conservation efforts and your sponsorship of an elephant or rhino
What’s NOT Included
- Round trip airfare from your country of origin to South Africa
- Travel Insurance (required)
- Tips for guides and porters ($300 estimate)
- Alcoholic beverages and sodas
- Personal snacks or special drinks
- Souvenirs
- Private/individual Gestalt sessions with Lorrin (to be scheduled directly)
Your Daily Itinerary
This itinerary is a guide for the anticipated daily schedule and activities. Please be aware some activities may happen on different days, and some may be adjusted depending on availability.
Day 1
Airport transfer and meet and greet for the group. We will do our first gathering meditation for communing with animals followed by the first game drive and African style dinner served in the Boma under the African sky. Then we’ll meet Francoise Malby-Anthony for a book signing while we enjoy our first night on the land.
Day 2
Morning game drive followed by breakfast. First animal communication session with a dog of Thula Thula to get verifiable feedback. Evening game drive, first communication with an elephant with one of the best on staff to confirm our readings.
Day 3
Excursion to St. Lucia with a picnic lunch served on the St. Lucia Estuary Boat Cruise. Return back for an afternoon game drive and 2nd animal communication session with an elephant + staff confirming the readings.
Day 4
Communing game drive. Communing with all life would be the simple intention for the morning. After lunch we’ll visit a local Zulu Village and meet the local Sangoma (traditional Zulu Diviner). Followed by an evening game drive and dinner in the boma.
Day 5
Morning game drive communing with nature. Following breakfast there will be time to journal and share experiences. Evening game drive will be the 4th communication session with one of the elephants or rhinos getting the readings confirmed by staff.
Day 6
Full day guided tour to Hluhluwe Umfolozi where we have the opportunity to see the BIG 5. We’ll start the morning with the Gathering meditation and enjoy the day communing with all life.
Day 7
Morning game drive and 5th communication session with one of the elephants. At breakfast, we will have our readings confirmed by the staff. Full body aromatherapy massage either before or after lunch. The afternoon drive will be a communing with all of nature drive. Dinner will be a gourmet 4 course meal at the safari lodge.
Day 8
Our morning game drive will be dedicated to “appreciation”. We will have the opportunity to meet with the anti- poaching unit and discuss the future of conservation. There will be a delicious champagne picnic lunch hopefully with Francois to finalize our gratitude for the work she does. The evening game drive will be dedicated to joy.
Day 9
Game drive followed by breakfast and final goodbye and transfer back to the airport.
Why Travel with Lorrin?
Lorrin Maughan is an animal communicator, certified Gestaltist, and coach who has been providing transformational experiences to help clients make meaningful changes in their lives for over a decade, often in partnership with horses. As an animal activist, she is deeply aware of the unique pain experienced by empathetic people who are committed to reducing the suffering of all sentient beings, and brings a trauma-informed approach to helping empower her clients to heal themselves and their relationships as they work to build a kinder and more compassionate world.
This trip will offer an opportunity to:
- Experience a deeper connection with yourself and the wild world around you by cultivating an awareness of your body, mind, and emotions on our nature drives. We will enjoy two nature drives with this specific focus.
- Process and explore our awareness in a supportive group setting, so that we can take meaningful action moving forward, if so inspired. Two group sessions will be offered.
- You will have the option to book a private Gestalt processing session for an additional, discounted, investment should you wish to go deeper or process anything that comes up for you on the trip. This session can be while we are at Thula Thula, or within 3 months of our return.
Accommodation Options
You’ll be spending four nights in a Luxury Tent, and four nights in a Safari Lodge room. Depending on which accommodation option you choose, these are the available room types:
Luxury Safari Suite
The Luxury Safari Suite is approximately 35 sqm, with two 4-poster beds. The en suite bathroom has twin basins, bath and shower. Each luxury chalet has a veranda overlooking the bush.
Click here for more details.
Suite Imperiale
The Suite Imperiale, for a journey into the past, exclusively decorated to celebrate nature, offering the very best in elegance and luxury. A large viewing deck with private pool (3 x 4m) offers absolute privacy and superb game viewing from the comfort of your Suite.
Click here for more details.
Suite Royale
The Suite Royale has a large king size 4-poster bed, is approximately 75 sqm, has a separate lounge area, en suite bathroom with large walk-in shower, bath with bush view and twin basins. The Suite Royale has superb bush views from the large veranda with a 3×4 private swimming pool overlooking the watering hole.
Click here for more details.
Luxury Tent
Get closer to the beauty and the sounds of nature in one of the double luxury safari tents. Enjoy a relaxing time from your private verandah overlooking the bush. Privacy is ensured with lush vegetation all around the tented camp. A true return to nature in style.
Click here for more details.
Family Tent
Our spacious “Bedouin style” family tent can accommodate two adults and two children. The bathroom is open plan and separated from the sleeping area by a movable wooden screen. All our tents are equipped with fans and air coolers for the hot summer day. Electric blankets for the cooler winter days offer the most comfortable sleeping experience.
Click here for more details.
Join Me in Thula Thula
Early Bird Pricing available through 1/1/25
EARLY BIRDS GET THE $500 DISCOUNT!
Don’t wait! Prices increase soon!
Early Bird cost per person sharing
the Safari Suite + a Luxury Tent: $6,182
After January 1st: $6,682
Early Bird Deposit (50%): $3,091
Early Bird cost per person sharing
the Suite Imperiale + a Family Tent: $7,167
After January 1st: $7,667
Early Bird Deposit (50%): $3,584
There is only ONE single spot available!
Early Bird cost per single in the
Safari Suite + a Luxury Tent: $7,192
After January 1st: $7,692
Early Bird Deposit (50%): $3,596
Please email travel@joanranquet.com to reserve your single Safari Suite!
Final balance will be due by July 1st, 2025.
If you’d like to pay in full, please email assist@joanranquet.com.